Department of Commerce: Bloghttps://www.commerce.gov/feeds/blog/category/1545
The most recent 20 items in this list.enDream to Reality – Helping Inventors Patent New Technologieshttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/08/dream-reality-helping-inventors-patent-new-technologies
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/john_kirkpatrick_smaller_size.jpg?itok=9Vh0fj9c" width="200" height="200" alt="John Kirkpatrick, Associate Pro Bono Coordinator and Staff Attorney, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)." title="John Kirkpatrick, Associate Pro Bono Coordinator and Staff Attorney, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)." /></span>
<p>Small businesses and independent inventors both serve a vital role in our nation’s economy. And, helping those with limited resources is an important goal of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).</p>
<p>The USPTO’s <a href="https://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-bono/patent-pro-bono-program" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Patent Pro Bono Program</a> provides free legal assistance to financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses interested in securing patent protection for their inventions. Inventors then bring their inventions to market -- helping to grow the economy and turn their dreams into reality.</p>
<p>In every patent, there’s a story. Take for example Travis Kelley, from Backus, MN. Travis invented a <a href="http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=08677636" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">simple but effective device</a> to take the guesswork out of home door installations. He couldn’t afford to hire an attorney and filed a provisional patent application on his own. After learning about USPTO’s pro bono program, he applied and received legal representation. His patent was issued in 2014.</p>
<p>Today, Travis and his wife Jennifer run a small business called JenTra Tools. Having sold thousands of units per year, JenTra is now moving into new markets to expand its customer base.</p>
<p>Then there is Deborah Campbell, from Grand Junction, CO, who developed a <a href="http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=09345265" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">sushi-making machine</a> -- that can churn out sushi rolls in just two minutes -- after years of designing and prototyping. She received pro bono assistance from the law firm of Merchant and Gould through Mi Casa Women’s Business Center in Denver. Find out more about her journey to sushi success in the recent article from <a href="https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/newsletter/inventors-eye/two-minutes-sushi-success" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Inventors Eye</a>.</p>
<p>Glenn Vogel, a custom metal worker and father of three from Evergreen, CO, also received assistance through Mi Casa. In 2015, thanks to a volunteer attorney and the pro bono program, Glenn patented a customizable <a href="http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=09078516" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">wine storage rack</a> and saw his revenue increase by 20 percent.</p>
<p>Regional patent pro bono programs not only support local inventors, but are also a way for patent practitioners to give back to their community. To date, more than 1,000 practitioners have volunteered their availability, time and resources. However, in order to assist even more independent inventors, entrepreneurs and small businesses, <a href="https://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-bono/attorneys" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">the USPTO welcomes even more practitioners to participate</a>.</p>
<p>Visit the <a href="https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/inventors-entrepreneurs-resources" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">USPTO website</a> to learn more about available resources for both inventors and entrepreneurs.</p>
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:41:45 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/08/dream-reality-helping-inventors-patent-new-technologiesHelping Americans Reach their Potential through Expanded Apprenticeshipshttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/08/helping-americans-reach-their-potential-through-expanded-apprenticeships
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/apprenticeshiptaskforce.jpg?itok=bBVt6t1P" width="200" height="200" alt="Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion Logo." title="Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion Logo." /></span>
<p><em>In connection with American Dream Week (July 31—August 4, 2017), the U.S. Department of Commerce is proud to highlight the important role Commerce agencies play in creating jobs and economic opportunities in American communities across the nation.</em></p>
<p><strong>“America’s capabilities are limitless and America’s workers are unmatched” – President Donald J. Trump</strong></p>
<p>President Trump is committed to increasing apprenticeship opportunities to enable more Americans to obtain high-paying jobs and the relevant skills needed to compete in today’s global economy. The following is a call to action for nominations to a task force charged with helping more Americans achieve their dreams and potential through expanded apprenticeship programs.</p>
<p>In June, President Trump issued an <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-06-20/pdf/2017-13012.pdf">Executive Order</a> to expand apprenticeships in America. As part of that order, he created a <a href="https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/task-force.htm">Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion</a> chaired by the Secretary of Labor with the Secretaries of Education and Commerce serving as vice-chairs. Through this task force, they will advise the President on strategies and proposals to increase and promote quality apprenticeship opportunities.</p>
<p>U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta <a href="https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/task-force.htm">is asking for nominations</a> for individuals to serve on the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion. The deadline to submit nominations is August 8, 2017. Any interested person or organization may nominate one or more qualified individuals for membership on the task force.</p>
<p>The Task Force is charged identifying strategies and proposals to promote apprenticeships, especially in sectors where apprenticeship programs are insufficient. Upon completion of this assignment, the Task Force will submit a report to the President outlining their recommendations.</p>
<p>Expanding apprenticeships and reforming ineffective education and workforce development programs will help enable more Americans to obtain relevant skills and high-paying, family-sustaining jobs. Apprenticeships provide paid, relevant workplace experiences and opportunities to develop skills that employers value.</p>
<p>Find out how you can help out at <a href="https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/task-force.htm">https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/task-force.htm</a></p>
Wed, 02 Aug 2017 11:28:41 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/08/helping-americans-reach-their-potential-through-expanded-apprenticeshipsEDA’s Revolving Loan Program: Helping Entrepreneurs Achieve the American Dream of Business Ownershiphttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/08/edas-revolving-loan-program-helping-entrepreneurs-achieve-american-dream-business
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/beachycream.jpg?itok=A4cPWdlV" width="200" height="200" alt="One business whose American Dream is coming true with the help of the EDA RLF program is Beachy Cream Ice Cream in Santa Monica, California. " title="One business whose American Dream is coming true with the help of the EDA RLF program is Beachy Cream Ice Cream in Santa Monica, California. " /></span>
<p><em>In connection with American Dream Week (July 31—August 4, 2017), the U.S. Department of Commerce is proud to highlight the important role Commerce agencies play in creating jobs and economic opportunities in American communities across the nation. </em></p>
<p>Obtaining the capital needed to start or grow a business can often be an impediment to entrepreneurs looking to achieve the American Dream of business ownership.</p>
<p>The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has worked to bridge this capital gap through its Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, which provides lending to small businesses that are unable to borrow from commercial banks.</p>
<p>The RLF program has made more than 37,500 loans to American small businesses and has leveraged more than $16 billion non-RLF dollars. RLF recipients report that the program has contributed to creating or retaining more than 662,000 jobs.</p>
<p>Today, there are 520 EDA-funded RLFs operating nationwide with a total of $267 million available for lending.</p>
<p>One business owner whose American Dream is coming true with the help of the EDA RLF program is Ann Ryan, Founder and CEO of Beachy Cream Ice Cream in Santa Monica, California.</p>
<p>Due to high demand, the organic ice cream brand -- which started off in farmer’s markets and a small store front -- needed to increase production capacity, but lacked the capital to do so.</p>
<p>In 2014, the company received a $95,000 RLF investment that helped them secure a 13,000 square foot manufacturing facility that allowed them to increase production and meet demand.</p>
<p>“The RLF loan we received provided valuable capital for Beachy Cream's move into our new leased space in Long Beach so that we could expand our ice cream production capabilities,” said Ryan.</p>
<p>In expanding their business, Beachy Cream is a modern example of the American Dream.</p>
<p>More information on the program, including where to find an RLF grantee by state and other RLF success stories can be found on EDA’s <a href="https://www.eda.gov/rlf/">Revolving Loan Fund</a> program page.</p>
Wed, 02 Aug 2017 10:39:44 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/08/edas-revolving-loan-program-helping-entrepreneurs-achieve-american-dream-businessInspiring Young Minds to be Innovators and Pursue their Dreamshttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/08/inspiring-young-minds-be-innovators-and-pursue-their-dreams
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/campinvention1500.jpg?itok=erwdK5SU" width="200" height="200" alt="Photo of Joe Matal at Camp Invention in Hyattsville, MD." title="Photo of Joe Matal at Camp Invention in Hyattsville, MD." /></span>
<p><em>In connection with American Dream Week (July 31—August 4, 2017), the U.S. Department of Commerce is proud to highlight the important role Commerce agencies play in creating jobs and economic opportunities in American communities across the nation. </em></p>
<p><em>Blog by <a href="https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/executive-biographies/joseph-matal">Joe Matal, Performing the Functions and Duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO</a></em></p>
<p>At <a href="http://campinvention.org/">Camp Invention</a>, almost two million students have explored their own innate creativity, inventiveness and entrepreneurial spirit in a week-long day camp program that’s been running annually since 1990. Currently held at more than 1,400 sites in 50 states for kindergarten through 6<sup>th</sup> grade, these students are learning how to think big, be innovators and pursue their dreams.</p>
<p>Camp Invention is a partnership between the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The program includes a robust STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum while also providing insights into the role of patents and trademarks in innovation. Children develop questions, collect data, draw conclusions and apply new knowledge while tackling hands-on challenges.</p>
<p>Recently, I had the chance to visit Camp Invention at Hyattsville Elementary in Maryland. I was impressed by how the students came up with new product ideas and built original prototypes using real tools and components found in everyday devices. But beyond that, they had also thought through how they were going to brand and market an item and how they would protect their innovation by applying for a patent and trademark. I was inspired by their enthusiasm and inventive thinking.</p>
<p>Camp Invention is unique because it provides an exciting environment with no wrong answers, a chance to brainstorm with peers and an opportunity to build confidence in the natural ability to dream and create. On a given day, students might learn about such things as terraforming exoplanets, building an air cannon, exploring circuits and electronics or presenting their new invention to mock investors. </p>
<p>Each year, one Camp Invention student is selected through the “Mighty Minds” contest for an all-expense paid trip to attend the National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Washington, DC. This year, the winner was 9-year-old <a href="http://www.invent.org/inspire/mighty-minds-winner-2017/">Mya Sewell of Grayson,</a> GA, who has attended Camp Invention for several years. She says she wants to be a scientist or inventor because, “it gives me the freedom to experiment with things without anybody telling me what to do.” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi40CpLDyTk">Learn more</a> about her experience interacting with prominent inventors at next year’s induction ceremony on May 4, 2018.</p>
<p>In addition to Camp Invention, the USPTO also works with the National Inventors Hall of Fame on the <a href="http://collegiateinventors.org/">Collegiate Inventors Competition</a>, a program designed to allow undergraduate and graduate students to showcase their emerging ideas and inventions that will shape our future. The finalists are judged by a team of inductees from the National Inventors Hall of Fame and USPTO subject-matter experts, and then honored at the USPTO. Winners enjoy over $100,000 in cash prizes and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC.</p>
<p>Through the USPTO’s partnerships with youth programs, such as Camp Invention and Collegiate Inventors, we hope to inspire future innovators and encourage creativity and problem-solving skills to enable the next generation to achieve the American Dream.</p>
Tue, 01 Aug 2017 16:21:39 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/08/inspiring-young-minds-be-innovators-and-pursue-their-dreamsNOAA Corps – A Long History of Service to the Nationhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/noaa-corps-long-history-service-nation
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/noaacorps.jpg?itok=SXaMo9Y0" width="200" height="200" alt="Photo of NOAA Corps officers, one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. " title="Photo of NOAA Corps officers, one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. " /></span>
<p><em>In connection with American Heroes Week (July 24—28, 2017), the U.S. Department of Commerce is proud to highlight its own American heroes and the important role Commerce agencies play in serving and protecting American communities. </em></p>
<p>Did you know the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a corps of commissioned officers, one of the seven uniformed services of the United States?</p>
<p>NOAA Corps officers play a vital role in the acquisition and analysis of environmental data to aid our nation in meeting the security, economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century. Collectively, they have been and continue to be true heroes to our nation.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/noaa-commissioned-officer-corps">NOAA Corps officers</a> command ships that scan the seafloor for potential hazards to shipping, monitor oceanographic and atmospheric conditions and study ocean resources. They also pilot NOAA's highly specialized aircraft that collect environmental and geographic data necessary for weather and flood prediction, precision mapping and charting, disaster response and resource management.</p>
<p>On Monday, July 24, 2017, eighteen officer candidates were sworn into the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps training program as Basic Officer Training Class (BOTC) 130. The officer candidates of BOTC 130 are the first class to be sworn in since the <a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/noaa-corps/about/noaa-corps-celebrating-century-service-1917-2017">100<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the creation of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps</a>. They now embark on <a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/noaa-corps/join/basic-training">a challenging 19-week curriculum</a> that prepares them to support NOAA’s vital missions to protect life and property by understanding and predicting changes in the climate, weather, ocean and coastlines. NOAA Corps recruits train alongside Coast Guard officer candidates at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, before receiving their first assignment.</p>
<p>Both NOAA and the NOAA Corps have <a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/noaa-corps/about/history">a long history of service to the Nation</a>. NOAA traces its history back to the formation of the Survey of the Coast in 1807. Faced with tough national security and economic challenges and a natural world governed by powerful and mysterious forces that often threatened life, property and commerce, President Thomas Jefferson created the Survey of the Coast in 1807 to support the nation’s defense, promote the well-being of its citizens and unlock nature’s secrets. The new agency’s mission was to chart the nation’s coastal waters to ensure that ships could move civilians, troops and materials safely.</p>
<p>During the next 150 years, the Survey of the Coast (later called the Coast &amp; Geodetic Survey) would fulfill its mission in war as well as in peacetime. With America’s entry into World War I, a commissioned service of the Coast &amp; Geodetic Survey (CG&amp;S) was formed on May 22, 1917, to ensure the rapid assimilation of C&amp;GS technical skills for defense purposes. During World War II, officers and civilians of the C&amp;GS produced nautical and aeronautical charts, provided critical geospatial information to artillery units and conducted reconnaissance surveys.</p>
<p>Today, the work of the C&amp;GS—and more—is conducted NOAA and the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps—one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The direct descendants of the C&amp;GS, NOAA and the NOAA Corps work every day on land, in the air and on the sea to keep the nation secure and productive by providing products and services that support maritime domain awareness; help ensure safe passage of commercial and military traffic on our nation’s waterways; warn mariners, aviators, and the public of severe weather; aid search and rescue efforts; and conserve and protect our natural resources. They are true American heroes. </p>
Fri, 28 Jul 2017 11:19:52 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/noaa-corps-long-history-service-nationFirstNet: Putting Lifesaving Technologies into the Hands of Heroeshttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/firstnet-putting-lifesaving-technologies-hands-heroes
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/firstnet_blog_photo_for_doc_amheroesweek_2017-07-26.jpg?itok=LK_VrOe9" width="200" height="200" alt="FirstNet is putting 21st century, lifesaving technology into the hands of American heroes – America’s first responders. " title="FirstNet is putting 21st century, lifesaving technology into the hands of American heroes – America’s first responders. " /></span>
<p><em>In connection with American Heroes Week (July 24—28, 2017), the U.S. Department of Commerce is proud to highlight its own American heroes and the important role Commerce agencies play in serving and protecting American communities. </em></p>
<p>Right now, an area the size of New York City is ablaze in western Montana. The Lodgepole Complex fire has grown to encompass more than 250,000 acres. Although it is the largest fire, it is only one of 19 currently burning across the state in what has been a particularly intense fire season.</p>
<p>Pushing hard through intense heat, danger and exhaustion are firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other first responders – brave women and men doing everything in their power to protect citizens, homes, livestock and land. These first responders dedicate their lives to protecting communities across our nation and are true America’s heroes. And the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), an independent agency within the Department of Commerce, is working to equip them with the lifesaving, 21<sup>st</sup>-century communication technology they need to do their jobs.</p>
<p><strong>Why FirstNet?</strong></p>
<p>Today, in emergencies and at large events, heavy public cell phone use can lead to wireless communications networks becoming overloaded and inaccessible. In those instances, public safety users are treated the same as any other commercial or enterprise user – meaning they can’t use their cell phones or wireless communication equipment when they need it the most. That’s where FirstNet comes in.</p>
<p>When Congress created FirstNet in 2012, it began fulfilling a recommendation of the 9/11 Commission to provide first responders with a secure, dedicated high-speed network that is available to first responders when and where they respond.</p>
<p><strong>A “fast lane” for public safety communications</strong></p>
<p>With FirstNet, public safety will get a dedicated “fast lane” that provides highly secure communications every day and for every emergency. FirstNet will deliver specialized features to public safety that are not available on wireless networks today including priority access, more network capacity, and a resilient and hardened connection. With FirstNet, first responders also will have access to devices connecting them to innovative, life-saving technologies.</p>
<p>For those fire fighters in Montana, and for first responders across the nation, FirstNet can provide vital technologies, tools and services during emergencies, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Applications that allow first responders to reliably share videos, text messages, photos and other information during incidents in near real-time;</li>
<li>Advanced capabilities like camera-equipped drones and robots that can deliver images of wildfires, floods or other events;</li>
<li>Improved location services to help with mapping capabilities during rescue and recovery operations;</li>
<li>Wearables that could relay biometric data of a patient to the hospital or alert when a first responder is in distress.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>A vital tool for our nation’s heroes</strong></p>
<p>As <strong>Commerce Secretary</strong> <strong>Wilbur Ross</strong> noted when he <a href="https://firstnet.gov/newsroom/blog/firstnet-names-att-partner-build-network-first-responders-nationwide">announced FirstNet’s selection of AT&amp;T as its network partner</a>: “FirstNet is a critical infrastructure project that will give our first responders the communications tools they need to keep America safe and secure.”</p>
<p>As the network deploys this year, it will provide the American heroes of the public safety community the powerful, dedicated communications network they need to do their jobs– now and in the future.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.firstnet.gov/">Learn more at FirstNet.gov</a></p>
Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:45:22 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/firstnet-putting-lifesaving-technologies-hands-heroesThe Critical Role of Hurricane Hunters in Protecting American Communities https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/critical-role-hurricane-hunters-protecting-american-communities
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/jessicawilliams.jpg?itok=q4NI8ZVU" width="200" height="200" alt="NOAA Meteorologist and Flight Director Jessica Williams aboard NOAA Lockheed WP-3D Orion N43RF during a flight into Hurricane Matthew in October 2016." title="NOAA Meteorologist and Flight Director Jessica Williams aboard NOAA Lockheed WP-3D Orion N43RF during a flight into Hurricane Matthew in October 2016" /></span>
<p><em>In connection with American Heroes Week (July 24—28, 2017), the U.S. Department of Commerce is proud to highlight its own American heroes and the important role Commerce agencies play in serving and protecting American communities. </em></p>
<p>On board <a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/aircraft-operations/about/hurricane-hunters">NOAA Hurricane Hunter</a> aircraft, there are no small jobs. Each member of the crew plays a critical role in ensuring the safe operation of the aircraft and the collection of quality weather data. The following is a feature highlighting one Commerce hero, NOAA Meteorologist and Flight Director Jessica Williams, who serves on NOAA's <a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/aircraft-operations/aircraft/lockheed-wp-3d-orion">Lockheed WP-3D Orion</a> and <a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/aircraft-operations/aircraft/gulfstream-iv-sp-g-iv">Gulfstream IV-SP</a> hurricane hunter planes. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations</a> (OMAO) provides immediate response capabilities for unpredictable events. Specifically, through its <a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/aircraft-operations/about/hurricane-hunters">Hurricane Hunter program</a>, OMAO plays an integral role in hurricane forecasting. Data collected during hurricanes by these high-flying meteorological stations help forecasters make accurate predictions during a hurricane and help hurricane researchers achieve a better understanding of storm processes, improving their forecast models. </p>
<p><strong>Preparing for takeoff</strong></p>
<p>Jessica Williams has always thirsted for an understanding about the environment in which we live. As a high school senior deciding on a college, she had the foresight to pursue her interest in weather and the atmosphere. Her compass pointed her to Penn State University. There, Williams joined the United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Her studies at Penn State concluded with a bachelor's of science degree in meteorology. She bolstered her resume with a master's of science degree in geographic information science from Northwest Missouri State University.</p>
<p>Williams is among those who has been able to make her passion her paycheck. Following college, Williams was able to merge her loves of aviation and atmospheric data by working as a weather officer in the U.S. Air Force for four years. She later worked as an aviation meteorologist in NOAA’s National Weather Center Service Unit and held a position as a wind resource modeling analyst. Her next career move was to become a flight director at NOAA’s <a href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/aircraft-operations">Aircraft Operations Center</a>, home the NOAA Hurricane Hunters.</p>
<p><strong>Safety first</strong></p>
<p>When flying on a mission to investigate a tropical cyclone, Williams is responsible for ensuring that the aircraft to which she is assigned is safely navigated through the storm and all the necessary data is collected.</p>
<p>The work, however, begins well before “wheels up.” Mission preparation involves collecting mission objectives from researchers and reviewing operational directives. “From this, we put together a tentative flight plan to accomplish these objectives,” says Williams. “I study the weather pattern, forecasts, and any potential weather hazards based on my training and experience, for the time period and locations we’ll be flying in and around.” She later disseminates this information to the crew in the pre-flight briefing.</p>
<p>Safety is paramount and once airborne, Williams is buckled in for what can be more than an eight-hour flight. “My eyes are on the radars at all times first and foremost, and secondly the data we’re collecting, which gets transmitted to the National Hurricane Center and often ingested into forecast models,” she says.</p>
<p><strong>Into the storm</strong></p>
<p>As one can imagine, working with hurricanes is anything but predictable. “Flight tracks, plans and objectives often change in flight, so we need to be prepared to discuss whether these changes are safe,” says Williams.</p>
<p>The idea of safely surveying hurricanes almost seems like a contradiction, but the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center team has made it standard operating procedure.</p>
<p>“This means flying right through the eyewall, which contains intense updrafts and downdrafts, extreme precipitation, lightning and often hail,” says Williams. Pre-flight training is essential to preparing the crew for these high-risk environments. “With knowledge of the storm dynamics, an understanding of aviation radar, and lots of experience from the crew we avoid these more dangerous areas.”</p>
<p><strong>Close to home</strong></p>
<p>The focus of her work sometimes can hit pretty close to home, most recently with Hurricane Matthew, “with the track coming so close to Florida and many of us having family and friends on the East Coast.” But she says it’s worth it, especially knowing how quickly the data she and her fellow Hurricane Hunters collect can directly affect people’s lives.</p>
<p>The same spirit that inspired a high school senior hasn’t dwindled. Williams’ drive hasn’t slowed. Her passion hasn’t decreased. Her goals haven’t changed. “To use my God-given experience, education and passion for science as I work with an excellent team to gather critical weather data in the storms,” is what it’s all about for Williams. “Data that improves forecast accuracy and warnings to save lives and property.”</p>
<p> </p>
Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:53:40 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/critical-role-hurricane-hunters-protecting-american-communitiesFrom Made in America to the Worldhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/made-america-world
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/susa8238-1472.jpg?itok=xbYJGv2N" width="200" height="200" alt="Ludwig Willisch (far right), President, CEO and Chairman of the Board for BMW (U.S.) Holding Corp., discusses BMW’s manufacturing operations in the United States at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, June 20, 2017. " title="Ludwig Willisch (far right), President, CEO and Chairman of the Board for BMW (U.S.) Holding Corp., discusses BMW’s manufacturing operations in the United States at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, June 20, 2017." /></span>
<p><em>In connection with Made in America Week (July 17-21 2017), <a href="https://www.selectusa.gov/welcome">SelectUSA</a> is proud to highlight the unique advantages of “Made in America” and the important role that foreign direct investment (FDI) plays in U.S. manufacturing.</em></p>
<p>Manufacturing in the United States is a significant driver of U.S. economic growth, featuring a higher gross output than any other private sector industry. The United States attracts innovative and industrious manufacturers from a wide variety of industries around the world. And U.S. affiliates of foreign-owned firms are playing a significant role in this production renaissance.</p>
<p>According to the latest available data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the total value (stock) of foreign direct investment (FDI) in manufacturing reached $1.2 trillion in 2015 – higher than any other sector – comprising nearly 40% of total FDI stock in the nation. Moreover, FDI in U.S. manufacturing is growing at an average annual rate of nearly nine percent, one of the fastest growth rates in the country.</p>
<p>There are many reasons why global manufacturers choose the United States. Made in America represents high-quality, reliability and service to increasingly demanding global consumers. Proximity to customers in the world’s largest market, access to raw materials, and independent, low-cost energy sources help U.S. manufacturers minimize supply chain risks and reduce costs. A thriving innovation ecosystem encourages game-changing product and process innovation. U.S. workers are among the most productive in the world – a key reason why more than 2.4 million U.S. jobs in manufacturing are supported by FDI. And for many, manufacturing in America is not only key to making it in America – but also to their global success.</p>
<p>Take German automaker BMW. The company’s Spartanburg, SC, plant encapsulates its commitment to manufacturing, selling and exporting U.S.-made cars. What began as a facility with a few hundred workers has blossomed into BMW’s largest manufacturing plant in its global network, employing nearly 10,000 U.S. workers.</p>
<p>Chinese chemical company Wanhua Chemical is building a $1.1 billion chemical manufacturing plant in St. James Parish, LA. The massive complex will lead to the creation of more than 1,100 jobs. When the plant is fully operational, it will produce a chemical found in numerous products from a variety of industries, including insulation foam, footwear and furniture.</p>
<p>LINAK U.S. Inc., a Danish linear actuator manufacturing company, recently announced it was doubling the size of its Louisville, KY, plant, which was established almost 20 years ago. The $33 million expansion will result in higher production efficiency, lower costs, and most importantly, more than 400 new jobs. When fully staffed, the facility will support over 700 U.S. jobs.</p>
<p>Stories like these show that when global companies choose the United States, it’s a win-win. When they select the USA, they’re tapping into a vast consumer market. Additionally, they are able to utilize one of the most competitive export platforms in the world. Put simply, “Made in America” is good for business, good for consumers and good for American workers.</p>
<p><em>To read more about the advantages of investing in the United States, please visit <a href="https://www.selectusa.gov/welcome">selectusa.gov</a>.</em></p>
Fri, 21 Jul 2017 14:05:39 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/made-america-worldMade in Baltimore: A Renewed Sense of Hometown Pridehttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/made-baltimore-renewed-sense-hometown-pride
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/madeinbaltimore.jpg?itok=tvG5Ir15" width="200" height="200" alt="Pop-Up Shop’s furniture showroom floor. Photo by: Andy Cook, Baltimore City Planning Department’s Office of Sustainability." title="Pop-Up Shop’s furniture showroom floor. Photo by: Andy Cook, Baltimore City Planning Department’s Office of Sustainability." /></span>
<p><em>The following appeared in the <a href="https://www.eda.gov/success-stories/manufacturing/stories/made-in-baltimore.htm">U.S. Economic and Development Administration (EDA) May 2017 Success Story series.</a></em></p>
<p>Small businesses in Baltimore are getting a boost as a result of a $110,000 EDA <a href="https://www.eda.gov/pdf/about/Local-TA-and-UC-Program-1-Pager.pdf">Local Technical Assistance Program</a> (<a href="https://www.eda.gov/plug-ins.htm">PDF</a>) grant that was awarded in 2016 to help the Baltimore City Department of Planning launch its <a href="http://madeinbaltimore.org/"><em>Made in Baltimore</em></a> program.</p>
<p><em>Made in Baltimore</em> aims to spur re-investment in Baltimore City by growing the market for locally-produced goods. They do this by supporting makers and manufacturers through the local-brand certification program, promotion and marketing events, and business development services. Local craft shops, breweries, manufacturers and many other companies that make products in the “Charm City” are proud to stamp that <em>Made in Baltimore</em> seal on each and every one of their products signifying that honorable hometown pride.</p>
<p>“The <em>Made in Baltimore</em> program helps to elevate the presence of maker and manufacturing companies in Baltimore,” said Andy Cook, coordinator of the <em>Made in Baltimore</em> program at the Baltimore City Planning Department’s Office of Sustainability. “Makers and manufactures in the city are selling products, hiring people, and staying open for business and creating a renewed sense of pride for our local economy.”</p>
<p>Baltimore city has been hit hard with a struggling economy due to decades of population losses and poverty. The <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/chart/IPE120215/2404000,00">U.S. Census Bureau</a> reports that 23.7 percent of city residents were living in poverty in 2015. But despite the odds, according to <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/press/glassdoor-reveals-25-cities-jobs-2016/">Glassdoor.com</a>, Baltimore ranked 17 out of 25 last year as one of America’s top cities for job opportunities.</p>
<p><em>Made in Baltimore’s</em> sprawling efforts are a big part of helping the city to rev up its economic engine! The program has spearheaded a series of five Pop-Up Shops at different locations throughout the city. These Pop-Up shops allow <em>Made in Baltimore</em> associated companies an opportunity to showcase their products, promote entrepreneurship and engage networking opportunities. The first Pop-Up Shop opened in 2015 featuring more than 80 local vendors with a wide variety of products ranging from furniture to clothing and beauty products, to food and beverages. In 24 days of operation, the shop collected more than $20,000 in sales and connected several vendors to large purchasers and substantial contracts.</p>
<p>The most recent Pop-Up Shop took place last holiday season from November to December with 50 local businesses that generated more than $30,000 in sales. This holiday shop was so successful that the concept is being replicated by a local retailer on an ongoing basis. <em>Made in Baltimore</em> has plans for two additional Pop-Up Shops this summer.</p>
<p>“The <em>Made in Baltimore</em> program is helping to bring a 'farmer’s market mentality' (such as 'farm to table') through educating our consumers,” said Jeremiah Jones, co-owner of SewLab USA, a Baltimore based soft goods manufacturing company that participated in the <em>Made in Baltimore </em>program. “With the <em>Made in Baltimore</em> seal, we as consumers can make a well informed decision to buy locally made products that help create jobs and pave the way to local sustainable manufacturing.”</p>
<p>The program has also launched a series of workshops that will help small business owners with startup support services including access to capital, marketing strategies, and best practices. The program is just one of countless examples how EDA helps business to grow and thrive.</p>
<p>“We are proud to elevate the presence of these Baltimore companies,” adds Cook. “These are the kinds of businesses that give Baltimore its character, and create meaningful, living-wage jobs for our city’s residents.”</p>
Tue, 18 Jul 2017 09:15:57 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/made-baltimore-renewed-sense-hometown-pride3D printing – A New Industry Made in Americahttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/3d-printing-new-industry-made-america
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/3d_printing_image.jpg?itok=ew6_TMMD" width="200" height="200" alt="Image of Additive Manufacturing Partnership meeting held at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)." title="Image of Additive Manufacturing Partnership meeting held at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)." /></span>
<p>Increasingly, we’re seeing the products of additive manufacturing – better known as 3D printing – all around us: in retail stores, in classrooms, and even in medical technologies. </p>
<p>The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) received over 8,000 patent applications last year alone in the field of additive material technologies. These represent a range of products – from household items to prosthetics – that are being manufactured with 3D printing and are having a positive impact on people’s lives and the economy.</p>
<p>One of the founding minds in 3D printing is National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee <a href="http://www.invent.org/honor/inductees/inductee-detail/?IID=499">Charles Hull</a>. Troubled how long it could take to create a prototype of a new device or tool, he created stereolithography in the 1980s, the first commercial rapid prototyping technology, now known as 3D printing. In recent years, the growth and popularity of 3D printers has skyrocketed, as they are increasingly being used by small businesses, hobbyists and entrepreneurs because of their speed and accuracy. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/content/international-space-station-s-3-d-printer">There is now even a 3D printer on the International Space Station</a>.</p>
<p>Exciting advances are being made with 3D bioprinting, a method of using 3D printing to create new tissues and organs. The USPTO works with the <a href="http://www.invent.org/">National Inventors Hall of Fame</a> in running the annual Collegiate Inventors Competition, which has showcased the next generation of 3D printing innovation, such as <a href="http://www.invent.org/challenge/past-winners/">previous graduate school winner Dave Kolesky</a> for 3D bioprinting of vascularized human tissue. Learn more about 3D bioprinting in the USPTO’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjjYHwwT73k">Science of Innovation video</a>, produced by NBC Learn.</p>
<p>The USPTO plays an important role in supporting American businesses in new and growing industries to get new products and technologies to the marketplace faster. This ultimately drives innovation and creates new jobs for American workers, benefitting consumers and manufacturers alike.</p>
<p>Lastly, to stay ahead of the curve in new areas, the agency partners with private industry in other areas such as cyber security and bioscience, all while providing the most up-to-date technical training to patent examiners who examine these new technologies every day. </p>
Mon, 17 Jul 2017 14:01:30 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/3d-printing-new-industry-made-americaBEA Releases New Statistics on Foreign Direct Investments Made in the U.S. https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/bea-releases-new-statistics-foreign-direct-investments-made-us
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/fdi-graph.png?itok=1GhL0uIy" width="200" height="200" alt="BEA Graph on New Foreign Direct Investment in the United States, 2014 – 2016." title="BEA Graph on New Foreign Direct Investment in the United States, 2014 – 2016." /></span>
<p>The Bureau of Economic Analysis today released statistics detailing the amount and type of new direct investments made in the United States by foreign investors in 2016, 2015 and 2014. The data released today includes information on investments broken out by industry, state and type of investment made – creating a new U.S. business or acquiring or expanding an existing one.</p>
<p>Business people, economists, researchers and policymakers can use the data to help them assess the impact of foreign direct investment on the U.S. economy and state economies. The data also help foreign entrepreneurs and others seeking to invest in the United States make informed business decisions. Additionally, the data inform national and state policymakers who shape programs to attract foreign direct investment. </p>
<p>Expenditures by foreign direct investors to acquire, establish, or expand U.S. businesses were $373.4 billion in 2016, down $66.2 billion, or 15 percent, from $439.6 billion in 2015.</p>
<ul>
<li>Expenditures for acquisitions were $365.7 billion, expenditures to establish new U.S. businesses were $5.6 billion, and expenditures to expand existing foreign-owned businesses were $2.2 billion.<br />
</li>
<li>Total greenfield investment expenditures—expenditures to either establish a new U.S. business or to expand an existing foreign-owned U.S. business—for investments initiated in 2016 which include both first-year expenditures and planned spending in other years, totaled $22.0 billion.<br />
</li>
<li>Employment at newly acquired, established, or expanded foreign-owned businesses in the United States was 480,800 employees.</li>
</ul>
<p>With this release, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is introducing statistics on planned and actual expenditures for greenfield investments. The new statistics are available on <a href="https://www.bea.gov/international/di1fdinew.htm">BEA’s website</a>.</p>
Wed, 12 Jul 2017 12:32:46 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/07/bea-releases-new-statistics-foreign-direct-investments-made-usU.S. Exporters Poised to Capitalize on Global Demand for Smart Grid Products and Serviceshttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/us-exporters-poised-capitalize-global-demand-smart-grid-products-and-services
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/smartgrid.jpg?itok=tqxkeSRb" width="200" height="200" alt="Led by the Departments of Commerce and Energy, U.S. government agencies are helping American clean energy companies export their renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to foreign markets." title="Led by the Departments of Commerce and Energy, U.S. government agencies are helping American clean energy companies export their renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to foreign markets." /></span>
<p><em>The following is a <a href="https://blog.trade.gov/">cross-post from Tradeology</a>, the official blog of the International Trade Administration</em></p>
<p><em>By Vickie Gunderson, Smart Grid Analyst</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/684590.pdf">The average number of Internet-connected devices per household is expected to increase five-fold by 2022, leading to potentially over 50 billion connected devices by 2025. </a> As more devices are connected to the Internet– in our homes, offices, and manufacturing facilities – it is becoming increasing more critical that people have access to reliable, secure, affordable, and clean electricity to power them. And U.S. firms that provide the products and services to meet these grid modernization needs are seeing increased global interest.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, we released an <a href="http://trade.gov/topmarkets/pdf/Smart_Grid_Top_Markets_Report.pdf">Update</a> to the <a href="http://trade.gov/topmarkets/smart-grid.asp">2016 Smart Grid Top Markets Report</a>. These articles offer detailed analysis of the near-term growth potential for U.S. exporters of smart grid products and services overall and for three sub-sectors: transmission and distribution (T&amp;D) equipment, smart grid information communications technologies (ICT), and energy storage. The Update expanded the number of ranked international markets for U.S. exporters from 34 to 50 markets and ranks them according to opportunities.</p>
<p>Across the suite of sub-sectors, U.S. exporters remain global leaders. Deployment of these advanced technologies across the United States to modernize our grid is serving as a global test bed for these disruptive technologies. Nowhere is this more apparent than for energy storage systems.</p>
<p>Today, the United States is one of the global leaders in deployment of energy storage with more than <a href="https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2017/01/f34/Deployment%20of%20Grid-Scale%20Batteries%20in%20the%20United%20States.pdf">200 battery projects totally over 400 MW added to the system</a> and remains the world leader for testing innovative policy, regulatory, and business models. However, projects are being deployed across the globe with global deployment of energy storage <a href="http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/09/f33/Revolutiona%CC%82%E2%82%ACNow%202016%20Report_2.pdf">expected to increase seven fold over the next five years</a>. This presents a key export opportunity for U.S. manufacturers and service providers.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/09/f33/Revolutiona%CC%82%E2%82%ACNow%202016%20Report_2.pdf">Over the last eight years, the costs of grid-scale battery energy storage has decreased ten fold</a>. These types of cost reductions are driving the deployment of a wide range of energy storage systems in the United States and around the globe and enabling electric utilities to store electrons (electricity) to provide power when it is needed and help steady the 24/7 need to balance the generation and the demand for electricity.</p>
<p>As a result, the <a href="https://blog.trade.gov/2016/07/05/u-s-government-agencies-enhancing-their-services-for-clean-energy-exporters/">Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (TPCC-REEE</a>), and the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Energy are leading an interagency effort to enhance services and programs to support U.S. competiveness in a range of sub-sectors across this diverse industry – including for energy storage.</p>
<p>In the <a href="http://trade.gov/topmarkets/smart-grid.asp">2016 Smart Grid Top Markets report</a>, the Department of Commerce included dedicated analysis on energy storage to increase market intelligence for U.S. exporters, and our <a href="http://trade.gov/topmarkets/pdf/Smart_Grid_Top_Markets_Report.pdf">January 2017 Update</a> included the first sub-sector rankings for energy storage exporters. Additionally, at DistribuTECH 2017, under the <a href="http://2016.export.gov/ibp/index.asp">International Buyer Program</a>, the Department of Commerce led delegations totaling more than 400 foreign buyers to facilitate meetings with U.S. energy storage and smart grid companies, as well as interact with U.S. utilities who have successfully deployed these products domestically.</p>
<p>Further recognizing the link between technology deployment and regulatory barriers, we have engaged in a series of market-specific activities. At the third U.S.-India Smart Grid Workshop in New Delhi,I participated in public-private discussions on the challenges to smart grid technology deployment in India. We also held discussions on communications networks for electric utilities in Brazil under our partnership with the Utilities Technologies Council through our <a href="http://trade.gov/mdcp/">Market Development Cooperator Program</a>, and later this year (October 31-November 2), we will be leading a delegation of U.S. firms to Toronto and Calgary for the <a href="http://2016.export.gov/trademissions/canadarenewablesmission/">Renewable Energy Integration Trade Mission</a>.</p>
<p>And this is just the beginning! Stay tuned for upcoming events related to global smart grid opportunities, and a full update to the Smart Grid Top Market Report later this fall. <a href="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USITATRADE/subscriber/new?topic_id=USITATRADE_499">Sign up for our Global Energy Team newsletter</a> to stay in the know!</p>
Fri, 30 Jun 2017 11:16:04 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/us-exporters-poised-capitalize-global-demand-smart-grid-products-and-servicesU.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics for the Fourth of July, 2017https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/us-census-bureau-releases-key-statistics-fourth-july-2017
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/fourthofjulycensus.jpg?itok=cmmbi4mK" width="200" height="200" alt="U.S. Census Bureau Graphic: Population of the 13 Colonies and their Representation." title="U.S. Census Bureau Graphic: Population of the 13 Colonies and their Representation." /></span>
<p>On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. This most American of holidays will be marked with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues across the country. As we celebrate this Independence Day, we reflect on how our Founding Fathers enshrined the importance of statistics in our Constitution as a vital tool for measuring our people, places and economy.</p>
<p>Following are a few key statistics in honor of the Fourth of July, 2017.</p>
<h4>56</h4>
<div>
<p>The number of signers to the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston comprised the Committee of Five that drafted the declaration. Jefferson, regarded as the strongest and most eloquent writer, wrote most of the document.</p>
</div>
<h4>2.5 million</h4>
<div>
<p>In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.</p>
<h4>323.1 million</h4>
<div>
<p>The nation’s estimated population on July 4, 2016.</p>
<h4>$368.6 million</h4>
<div>
<p>The value of fireworks sales by retailers in 2012.</p>
<h4>$5.4 million</h4>
<div>
<p>The value of U.S. imports of American flags in 2016. The vast majority of this amount ($5.3 million) was imported from China.</p>
<p>For more key statistics, please visit the U.S. Census Bureau's <a href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2017/cb17-ff10-fourth-of-july.html">Facts for Features issue the Fourth of July: 2017.</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Fri, 30 Jun 2017 10:32:44 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/us-census-bureau-releases-key-statistics-fourth-july-2017Commerce Recognizes LGBT Pride Monthhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/commerce-recognizes-lgbt-pride-month
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/lgbtpride_2017.jpg?itok=wwRpW8ny" width="200" height="200" alt="Commerce employees recognize LGBT Pride Month on June 19, 2017." title="Commerce employees recognize LGBT Pride Month on June 19, 2017." /></span>
<p>On Monday, June 19, 2017, the Department of Commerce's Office of Civil Rights, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognized the 2017 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month – a month-long observance of the LGBT community and the community’s impact on our Nation’s history. The event was well attended with over 150 employees from the partnership agencies.</p>
<p>Keynote speaker Sarah McBride, the National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, shared her story about coming out as transgender and the struggles and triumphs she experienced since. Her heartfelt speech opened minds and shed light on the journey towards LGBT equality. She said “Generations from now […] a young gay kid, or a young trans kid will grow up and learn about the struggle for justice and equality in their textbooks and never have to know what this progress felt for those of us who are LGBTQ, because they will never know anything different. And that will be because of LGBTQ people everywhere who persevered, who marched, and fought. It’ll be because of our allies who stood up and spoke out. […] I want to thank each and every one of you for all the work you have done in your respective offices, divisions, departments, to make sure that you are upholding the duty of supporting and embracing every American citizen – protecting their rights, protecting their dignity, protecting their lives.”</p>
Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:21:58 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/commerce-recognizes-lgbt-pride-monthNOAA Data Helps Retail and Manufacturing Business Minimize Impacts from Weather and Climatehttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/noaa-data-helps-retail-and-manufacturing-business-minimize-impacts-weather-and
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/down-jackets_1200x480-pixabay.jpg?itok=k9dgRFhL" width="200" height="200" alt="Photo of down jackets at retail store. " title="Photo of down jackets at retail store. " /></span>
<p><em>The following is a<a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/noaa-data-helps-retail-and-manufacturing-business-minimize-impacts-weather-and-climate"> cross-post from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information</a></em></p>
<p>From making sure warm winter coats are in stock at just the right time to accurately evaluating the underlying causes of fluctuations in the U.S. economy, NCEI’s environmental data provide critical information for retailers, manufacturers, and the companies that invest in them. As industries that are highly sensitive to changing weather conditions, retail and manufacturing businesses rely on our climate data to assess how weather has influenced their past sales. By understanding the past, these business can also better plan for the future.</p>
<p>Weather can affect every step of the retail supply chain, from the supplier, to the manufacturer, to the distributor, to the retailer, to consumer purchases. As the seasons change, manufacturers may need to produce different machine parts for equipment like lawn mowers and snow blowers. Similarly, retailers may need to shift the stock of seasonal items like hot cocoa and sandals as temperatures and weather conditions fluctuate.</p>
<p>In the winter, in particular, the weather can dramatically influence economic activity related to the manufacturing and retail industries. A severe snowstorm may keep consumers from shopping at retail stores and dining at restaurants. And, winter weather can prevent goods from getting to market too. For example, when a major snowstorm caused a single-day shutdown in New York, <a href="http://time.com/money/3703336/snow-blizzard-impact-shopping-retail/" id="anch_14" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">it resulted in $152 million in lost sales</a>. However, major snowstorms can be profitable for online retailers and the automotive repair industry.</p>
<p>The performance of the manufacturing and retail industries is a top indicator of economic well-being. Since they account for $3.2 trillion or 17 percent of the U.S. GDP and an estimated 22 million jobs collectively, the performance of the manufacturing and retail industries is a top indicator of economic well-being. With the right data, manufacturers, retailers, and the companies that invest in them can understand and measure how weather is influencing their bottom lines and the country’s economy.</p>
<p>NCEI’s data are a crucial source of credible and authoritative information for a wide variety of businesses in the retail and manufacturing industries according to an <a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/success-stories-on-user-engagement-case-study-5-retail-and-manufacturing.pdf" id="anch_15" rel="nofollow">April 2017 report</a>. The report, which compiles feedback from companies in these industries, demonstrates how our climate data products are used to understand the effect of certain weather conditions on business performance. Pairing this information with climate outlooks can then inform how much product to manufacture or how to stock items in various regions of the country.</p>
<p>“We use the NCEI climate data reports when we're reviewing month-over-month and then year-over-year results from our sales territories,” said one company’s sales manager. “If we lost the NCEI climate data, I'd have to go back to the old sales guy excuse of ‘I didn't make my number because it rained.’ I'm not really willing to go there.”</p>
<p>Some of our data products that provide real-world value to the retail and manufacturing industries include:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/" id="anch_16" rel="nofollow">State of the Climate Reports</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cag/" id="anch_17" rel="nofollow">Climate at a Glance</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/temp-and-precip/" id="anch_18" rel="nofollow">Temperature, precipitation, and drought data</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/snow-and-ice/rsi/" id="anch_19" rel="nofollow">Regional Snowfall Index</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/snow-and-ice/rsi/nesis" id="anch_20" rel="nofollow">Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale</a></li>
</ul>
<p>All of these products help monitor and assess the state of Earth’s climate in near–real time and provide perspectives on how the climate of today compares to the past.</p>
<p>Learn more about how retail and manufacturers are using our data and why it’s so important to them in the video, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VxKkvcokDM&amp;feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Benefit of NCEI Data to Retail and Manufacturing</a>.</p>
Wed, 21 Jun 2017 14:04:43 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/noaa-data-helps-retail-and-manufacturing-business-minimize-impacts-weather-andNIST Awards $38.5 Million to Accelerate Public Safety Communications Technologieshttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/nist-awards-385-million-accelerate-public-safety-communications-technologies
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/nistpublicsafety.jpg?itok=iDCWDFku" width="200" height="200" alt="Photo of First Responder with Radio." /></span>
<p><em>The following is a cross-post from the <a href="https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2017/06/nist-awards-385-million-accelerate-public-safety-communications">National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)</a></em></p>
<p>The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded $38.5 million to 33 research and development (R&amp;D) projects aimed at advancing broadband communications technologies for first responders.</p>
<p>“Through programs like <a href="https://www.firstnet.gov/">FirstNet</a>, President Trump and this administration are working hard to keep Americans safe,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “These grant awards will help fulfill our mission, ensuring that first responders have access to advanced tools that can save lives.”</p>
<p>The multiyear grants are intended to help modernize public safety communications and operations by supporting the migration of data, video and voice communications from mobile radio to a nationwide public safety broadband network, as well as accelerating critical technologies related to indoor location tracking and public safety analytics.</p>
<p>The grants are part of the <a href="https://www.nist.gov/ctl/pscr/funding-partnerships/grants/psiap-fy2017">Public Safety Innovation Accelerator Program</a> funded by NIST’s $300 million allocation from the 2015 <a href="https://www.ntia.doc.gov/category/aws-3-transition">auction of advanced wireless service licenses</a>. The <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/3630/text">Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012</a> provided the funding so that NIST could conduct an R&amp;D program to help public safety overcome critical technical barriers, spur innovation as well as investment in public safety broadband, and realize the full potential of wireless broadband capabilities.</p>
<p>NIST reviewed 162 proposals from a diverse pool of national and international applicants across industry, academia and public safety organizations. The 33 selected projects span five key technology areas that have the potential to greatly enhance public safety communications and operations:</p>
<ul>
<li>Mission Critical Voice (moving from traditional radios to cellular systems)</li>
<li>Location-Based Services (conducting indoor positioning, navigation and mapping)</li>
<li>Public Safety Analytics (handling and exploiting more data)</li>
<li>Research and Prototyping Platforms (enabling low-cost R&amp;D tools)</li>
<li>Resilient Systems (ensuring systems work in poor conditions)</li>
</ul>
<p>Additional details may be found on the <a href="https://www.nist.gov/communications-technology-laboratory-ctl/pscr">Public Safety Communications Research</a> website. A full list of the awardees and their projects can be found <a href="https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2017/06/nist-awards-385-million-accelerate-public-safety-communications">here</a>.</p>
Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:00:42 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/nist-awards-385-million-accelerate-public-safety-communications-technologiesForeign Direct Investment: Driving Global Competitiveness and Innovationhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/foreign-direct-investment-driving-global-competitiveness-and-innovation
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/fdi-employment-2014-graph.png?itok=cGO5sK3N" width="200" height="200" alt="Graphic on Direct Employment by Majority Foreign-Owned Firms in the United States." title="Graphic on Direct Employment by Majority Foreign-Owned Firms in the United States." /></span>
<p><em>The following is a <a href="https://www.eda.gov/news/blogs/2017/06/01/spotlight.htm">cross-post from the U.S. Economic and Development Administration </a></em></p>
<p>Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plays an important role in the U.S. economy. It leads to the creation of jobs, an increase in wealth and living standards, and overall growth and innovation that drive the U.S. economic competitiveness. Later this month, the Commerce Department will host the <a href="http://www.selectusasummit.us/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_campaign=GrowWithUS17&amp;utm_medium=CommerceGov">2017 SelectUSA Investment Summit</a> providing a platform to communicate economic priorities and affirm the United States as the number one destination in the world for foreign direct investment.</p>
<p>The United States remains an attractive destination for FDI for a variety of reasons, including a large consumer base, a productive workforce, a highly innovative environment, and legal protections. As a result, foreign firms make investments in the United States on a regular basis by establishing new operations, purchasing existing operations of another company, or providing additional capital to their existing U.S. operations.</p>
<p>The U.S. welcomes foreign investment, and the numbers show that investors have confidence in the opportunities here. With a population of 320 million and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that's over $18 trillion, our nation is home to more FDI stock than any other country.</p>
<p>The numbers paint the big picture:</p>
<ul>
<li>12.1 million jobs are attributable to FDI.</li>
<li>6.4 million reflects the number of U.S. workers who are directly employed by majority foreign-owned firms.</li>
<li>2.4 million includes jobs attributable to the economic activity of majority foreign-owned firms, including jobs in those firms' supply chains, jobs attributable to higher incomes, and other economic effects.</li>
<li>In the manufacturing sector alone, productivity growth from technology spillovers associated with FDI contributed 3.5 million jobs.</li>
</ul>
<p>At the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administratoin (EDA), FDI is one of our <a href="https://www.eda.gov/about/investment-priorities.htm">investment priorities</a>. These priorities are designed to provide an overarching framework to guide the agency's investment portfolio and ensure its investments contribute the strongest positive impact on sustainable regional economic growth and diversification.</p>
<p>Since FY2011, EDA invested more than $109 million in 91 projects to help advance local strategies to attract FDI. Of the total, 61 projects totaling close to $98 million are expected to create and/or retain 30,073 jobs and attract over $8 billion in private investment. The other 30 projects totaling close to $12 million support FDI-related planning, research, technical assistance, access to capital, and/or other activities that are essential for successful economic development and job creation in the future.</p>
<p>Examples that show how EDA is investing to support FDI include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Mississippi: Mississippi State University's Canton-based office received the Mississippi Economic Development Council's Community Economic Development Award for its work to bring advanced manufacturing jobs back to America. The program acquired its initial funding through EDA. <a href="http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/02/medc-recognizes-mississippi-state%E2%80%99s-cavs-extension-jobs-reshoring/">According to the University</a>, the initiative resulted in a nearly $11 million economic impact, with more than 33 direct investment opportunities identified and 333 jobs created or saved. Additionally, the program saw 262 industry certifications and 221 paid internships in high-demand advanced manufacturing skills.</li>
<li>Georgia: Over the last three decades, the global automotive sector has established a noticeable presence in the Southeast United States. From Mercedes in Alabama, to BMW in South Carolina, many automotive manufacturers are seeking to take advantage of the Southeast's comparatively inexpensive cost of doing business, warm climate, and excellent transportation networks. In 2015, EDA invested $700,000 in Public Works Program funds in the city of Lavonia, Georgia, to make sewer systems improvements that helped bring a foreign-based automotive parts manufacturer to the region. As a result, it is estimated that the region will gain 400 new manufacturing jobs and attract $54 million in foreign direct investment.</li>
</ul>
Fri, 09 Jun 2017 12:39:00 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/foreign-direct-investment-driving-global-competitiveness-and-innovationCelebrating World Oceans Dayhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/celebrating-world-oceans-day
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/ocean.jpg?itok=mipnk0o4" width="200" height="200" alt="Celebrating World Oceans Day" title="Celebrating World Oceans Day" /></span>
<p>June 8, 2017. Happy World Ocean Day and <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/31/president-donald-j-trump-proclaims-june-2017-national-ocean-month">National Ocean Month</a>! From the food we eat to the air we breathe, we are all connected to the ocean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) <a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/">explores the ocean</a>, <a href="http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/">provides tsunami warnings</a>, <a href="https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/">addresses marine debris</a>, <a href="http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/">manages national marine sanctuaries</a>, <a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov">ensures sustainable fisheries</a>, and <a href="http://noaa.gov">much, much more</a>.</p>
<p>NOAA and its partners are holding <a href="http://www.noaa.gov/news/celebrate-world-ocean-day-with-noaa-and-our-partners">World Ocean Day events</a> throughout the month of June. You can celebrate online with NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS) annual <a href="http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/june17/30days.html">30 Days of the Ocean</a> online campaign — a chance to highlight the importance of our world ocean, increase ocean literacy, and inspire actions to conserve resources when visiting our ocean and coasts. Every day during the month, NOS is sharing videos, imagery, and facts about our ocean and coasts on the <a href="http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/">NOS website</a> and social media. You can follow the activity on <a href="http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/goodbye.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fusoceangov">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/goodbye.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fnoaaocean">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/goodbye.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fnoaaocean%2F">Instagram</a> — look for #30DaysofOcean. This year's campaign features NOS's pool of <a href="http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/">more than 300 Ocean Facts</a> on their website. With topics ranging from the ocean economy to microplastics to hydrography and even the depth of the ocean, there’s sure to be a fact for everyone!</p>
Thu, 08 Jun 2017 13:07:49 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/celebrating-world-oceans-day Administration Seeks Comments from the U.S. Public by June 12 on the Renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/administration-seeks-comments-us-public-june-12-renegotiation-north-american-free
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/nafta.jpg?itok=DGuYu12i" width="200" height="200" alt="Joint U.S.-Mexican-Canadian Flag" title="Joint U.S.-Mexican-Canadian Flag" /></span>
<p><em>The following is a <a href="https://blog.trade.gov/2017/05/23/administration-moves-forward-with-plans-to-renegotiate-the-north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta-seeks-comments-from-the-u-s-public/">cross-post </a>from Tradeology, the official blog of the International Trade Administration </em></p>
<p><em>By John Andersen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere</em></p>
<p>On May 18, the Administration formally notified Congress of its intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). As provided by the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, this notification triggers a 90-day period before negotiations with Canada and Mexico can begin. As part of the 90-day process – and in an effort to hear from you – the Administration has published a Federal Register Notice (FRN) soliciting public comments on the renegotiation. Per the FRN, the Administration seeks comments on general and product-specific negotiating objectives, as well as comments on specific provisions. Following the comment period, a public hearing will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission.</p>
<p>The FRN seeks comments on a total of seventeen topics that will help inform the direction, focus, and content of the NAFTA negotiations. These include digital trade, intellectual property rights, regulatory practices, state-owned enterprises, services, customs procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, labor, environment, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Written comments must be submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative no later than Monday, June 12, 2017. To access the FRN for more detailed information and submission instructions, please click <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USTR_FRDOC_0001-0413">here</a>.</p>
<p>Stakeholder consultation is crucial to ensuring our trade agreements are reflective of what the U.S. economy needs to thrive and grow. This is a great opportunity for your voice to be heard. I hope your organization will take the time to submit input that provides the U.S. government with actionable recommendations that will generate meaningful outcomes for U.S. businesses, workers, consumers, farmers, and ranchers.</p>
Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:17:27 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/administration-seeks-comments-us-public-june-12-renegotiation-north-american-freeThe U.S. Government Pavilion at the SelectUSA Investment Summit – Federal Investment Resources at Your Fingertipshttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/us-government-pavilion-selectusa-investment-summit-federal-investment-resources
<span align="left"><img class="image-style-scalecrop-200x200" src="https://www.commerce.gov/sites/commerce.gov/files/styles/scalecrop_200x200/public/media/images/2017/susa7971-1374_highlight.jpg?itok=ImFn-gPv" width="200" height="200" alt="Photo from the U.S. Government Pavilion at the 2016 SelectUSA Investment " title="Photo from the U.S. Government Pavilion at the 2016 SelectUSA Investment " /></span>
<p><em>The following is a <a href="https://blog.trade.gov/">cross-post from Tradeology, the official blog of the International Trade Administration (ITA)</a></em></p>
<p><em>By Andrew Owusu, Intern, <a href="https://www.selectusa.gov/welcome">SelectUSA</a></em></p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.selectusasummit.us/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_campaign=GrowWithUS17&amp;utm_medium=CommerceGov">2017 SelectUSA Investment Summit</a> provides a platform to communicate economic priorities and affirm the United States as the number one destination in the world for foreign direct investment. Looking for U.S. economic data and analysis? The U.S. Government (USG) Pavilion in the Exhibition Hall at the Summit will feature representatives from federal agencies that can help participants find and understand U.S. economic indicators. They include:</p>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://www.esa.doc.gov/">Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA)</a> which performs high-quality economic analysis, disseminates national economic indicators and fosters the mission of the U.S. Census Bureau (Census), the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the Office of the Chief Economist (OCE). OCE created the <a href="http://acetool.commerce.gov/">Assess Costs Everywhere (ACE) tool</a> for businesses to evaluate locating in the U.S.;</li>
<li>The <a href="http://www.bea.gov/">Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)</a> is a trusted and impartial source of data and statistics on the U.S. economy. BEA data is comprehensive and available for free to all;</li>
<li>The <a href="http://www.census.gov/">U.S. Census Bureau</a> is the leading source of data about the nation’s people and economy; The U.S. Census Bureau provides a wealth of demographic and economic data that can help potential businesses make informed investment decisions.</li>
</ul>
<p>Looking for data specifically on FDI? <a href="https://www.selectusa.gov/selectusa-stats">SelectUSA Stats</a> is a public, free online data visualization tool that allows you to compare data on foreign direct investment into the United States. The tool features interactive dashboards that display graphical data. The data, from sources like BEA, includes useful categories such as greenfield investment by country, stock and flow, impacts on U.S. employment, exports, research and development; FDI trends by industry, country, and state. With a choice of multiple data agencies, attendees have numerous opportunities to pick up practical tools and strategies from expert practitioners in a variety of investment-related fields.</p>
<p>Officials will also be standing by to provide information on workforce and training programs, U.S. exports, supply chain, research and innovation, U.S. visas, and the Global Entry program. Below is a list of all of the federal agencies, along with their booth numbers, that are participating in the USG Pavilion.</p>
<p>GP1: <a href="http://www.state.gov/">U.S. Department of State</a></p>
<p>GP2: <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/">U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services</a></p>
<p>GP3: <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/">U.S. Customs and Border Protection</a></p>
<p>GP6: <a href="//www.commerce.gov/">U.S. Department of Commerce Rural Team</a></p>
<p>GP7-8: <a href="https://www.selectusa.gov/selectusa-stats">SelectUSA Stats</a></p>
<p>GP9: <a href="http://trade.gov/industry/">International Trade Administration, Industry and Analysis</a></p>
<p>GP10: <a href="http://www.export.gov/">Export Assistance Programs</a></p>
<p>GP11: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/">U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development</a></p>
<p>GP12: <a href="http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs">U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service</a></p>
<p>GP13: <a href="https://www.eda.gov/">U.S. Economic Development Administration </a></p>
<p>GP14: <a href="http://www.mbda.gov/">Minority Business Development Agency</a></p>
<p>GP15: <a href="https://www.bis.doc.gov/">Bureau of Industry and Security</a></p>
<p>GP16: <a href="https://ustr.gov/">The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative</a></p>
<p>GP17: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a></p>
<p>GP18: <a href="http://www.exim.gov/">Export-Import Bank of the United States</a></p>
<p>GP19: <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica">U.S. Department of Transportation</a></p>
<p>GP20: <a href="https://www.sba.gov/">U.S. Small Business Administration </a></p>
<p>GP21: <a href="http://www.unicor.gov/">UNICOR</a></p>
<p>GP22: <a href="http://www.va.gov/">U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs</a></p>
<p>GP23-24: <a href="http://www.dol.gov/featured/apprenticeship">U.S. Department of Labor</a></p>
<p>GP25-26: <a href="http://www.bea.gov/">Bureau of Economic Analysis</a></p>
<p>GP27: <a href="http://www.esa.gov/">Economics Statistics Administration</a></p>
<p>GP28: <a href="http://www.census.gov/">U.S. Census Bureau</a></p>
<p>GP29: <a href="http://www.nist.gov/mep/">National Institute of Standards and Technology, Manufacturing Extension Partnership</a></p>
<p>GP30: <a href="https://www.manufacturing.gov/nnmi/">National Network for Manufacturing Innovation, Manufacturing USA</a></p>
<p>GP31-32: <a href="http://www.uspto.gov/">The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office</a></p>
<p>A number of U.S. government representatives will also be participating in the matchmaking system, so interested attendees will be able to request meetings and learn more about the various resources that the agencies offer.</p>
<p>There is still time to register! Head over to the <a href="http://www.selectusasummit.us/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_campaign=GrowWithUS17&amp;utm_medium=CommerceGov">Summit website</a> to apply for registration to the top FDI event in the United States. If you are unable to attend but would like information on SelectUSA and our services, please visit our <a href="https://www.selectusa.gov/welcome">website</a> or <a href="https://www.selectusa.gov/contact-us">contact us</a>.</p>
Thu, 01 Jun 2017 10:26:14 -0400kcpullen@doc.govhttps://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2017/06/us-government-pavilion-selectusa-investment-summit-federal-investment-resources